sanctions on iran aimed at curbing its nuclear program and opponents also highlight his commentsr about israel and gays.s of israeli influence on the u.s. hagel said: the jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here. i'm a united states senator, i'm not an israeli senator." hagel also opposed the nomination of james hormel as ambassador to luxembourg in 1998 because hormel was openly gay. "i think it's an inhibiting factor to be openly aggressively gay like hormel."pe he recently apologized callinggr the remarks insensitive. president obama did not spend a lot of time in the united states senator. he forged a relationship on candor and trust with hagel partially during trips to iraq and afghanistan. the president today said he'ds t always been impressed with willing to go against hagel's'd wisdom.ress hagel said he if he's confirmedst he'll do just that. >> pelley: what about the man nominated to be director of central intelligence, general brennan? will he have an easier time? >> reporter: probably an easier time. wi he's been the number one advisor for the president dealing with every te